Lawyer

5 stops · self-paced · a common path, not the only one

1. 📍

   You are here

   Today — wherever you're starting from

2. 🔨
   Build skillsNext stop →

   Build strong reading, writing, and reasoning skills

   Reading, writing, and reasoning are the whole job — build them early. Law rewards clear thinkers far more than any specific undergrad major.

   ⏱ self-paced · 💵 free–low cost

3. 🎓
   Education

   Earn a bachelor's (any major) and a solid GPA

   Any major works for law school; a strong GPA matters more than what you studied. Pick something you'll excel in.

   ⏱ ~4 years · 💵 varies — community college first is cheapest

4. 📍
   Milestone

   Take the LSAT and attend law school (JD)

   The LSAT plus 3 years of law school (JD) is the core commitment — expensive and demanding, so shadow lawyers first to confirm the reality.

   ⏱ ~2–4 years · 💵 tuition varies — aid often available

5. 📜
   Get certified

   Pass the bar exam in your state

   The bar exam is the final gate, taken per state after graduation. It's a months-long study grind on its own — plan for it.

   ⏱ weeks–months of prep · 💵 exam & license fees

6. 💼
   Break in

   Start in a firm, government, or public-interest role — then specialize

   First roles (firm, government, public interest) shape your path; specialization comes with experience. The field is competitive and debt is real — go in clear-eyed.

7. 🏁

   Lawyer

   Your destination